RIP Andy “Fletch” Fletcher

[simonpaulthomas]

Just announced by Depeche Mode.

f***.

[Korea Hammer]

Oh no

[westham,eggyandchips]

Although born in Nottingham. He will always be a Basildon lad to me.


RIP Fletch.


What is happening today.

[smuts]

Depeche are in my top 3 bands and I've seen them umpteen times.

Hard to believe Fletch has gone.

RIP Andy.

[bonzosbeard]

Seen them four times, big fan, gutted.

RIP and condolences to his family.

[EvilC]

I was just listening to them last night. Gutted. RIP.

[leyton Hammer]

Gutted, big Depeche fan, RIP Andy and thanks for some great tunes

[norse]

Absolutely devastating news

[Up the Junction]

This one hits home. Sad news.

[Chicken Run Supreme]

****'s sake

This has brought a tear to my eye

Devastated

[last.caress]

Bloody hell, today can't end quickly enough!

More awful news.

Went to see DM in '93, not because I gave two rubs for them but because they were being supported by a slightly bemused Sisters of Mercy. As it happened, Depeche Mode were absolutely brilliant and I came away from that gig a big fan. It took a trek to Crystal Palace to turn this Basildon boy onto those Basildon boys; but I'm glad it happened, however it happened.

RIP Fletch

[prophet:marginal]

'Shocked' is a term so massively overused that I hesitate to repeat it now, but I am hit by a combination of shock and real sadness by this news.

'Too young' is another phrase that often gets used, too, but, again, I can't help but agree with the sentiment in this case.

In memoriam:



Genius pop musician.

So long Fletch

[smuts]

Bloody hell, today can't end quickly enough!

More awful news.

Went to see DM in '93, not because I gave two rubs for them but because they were being supported by a slightly bemused Sisters of Mercy. As it happened, Depeche Mode were absolutely brilliant and I came away from that gig a big fan. It took a trek to Crystal Palace to turn this Basildon boy onto those Basildon boys; but I'm glad it happened, however it happened.

RIP Fletch

I was there, I remember the SOM singer saying "enjoy the puppet show" as he walked off.

Brilliant concert once it got going about halfway through when the dark arrived.

[-DL-]

Absolutely gutted about this. Was just speaking to Mrs DL today that they must be due an album soon.

RIP Fletch.

[neathiron]

Well this has come as a big shock. I only finished reading the Depeche Mode book 'Stripped' a few nights ago.
Fletch was the 1st admit he wasn't a great musician. In the book there was a bit of a running joke questioning his contribution musically. A lot of the time on stage he would raise his arms above his head and clap such was his limited synth skills. This caused a bit of resentment with Alan Wilder and Dave Gahan especially in later years, because they felt their efforts were not fully appreciated by Martin Gore. Wilder in particular was the driving force when it came to the studio and arranging all the stage shows until he decided he had had enough. Luckily for Fletch, him and Gore were really good mates from their younger days so he was always going to have a place in the band.
But when it came to the business side of things, Fletch was the main man. He was pretty much like a manager behind the scenes, so his contribution to that side of things cannot be underestimated.

[Chicken Run Supreme]

I guess it’s the fact that Depeche Mode were one of the first bands in early 80’s that I really “got”, that has really brought this home.
I was 15 on the cusp of sweet sixteen when New Life came out, but Fletch was only 19 himself. I must have played Speak and Spell on my turntable until the grooves wore out. It still sounds fresh today and I’ll be giving it a spin this weekend, not my original but one I picked up at a record fair some years ago to replace my battered original.

Was listening to Absolute 80’s this morning and Sarah Champion was in bits as she read out a tribute from Alison Moyet who was a classmate at school with Fletch.
This one really has hit home for a lot of people.

RIP Fletch

[Up the Junction]

[daytimedave]

sad news indeed , love DM. 60 is no age , any indication as to what caused his death ?

[-DL-]

The stars in the sky, bring tears to my eyes, they're lighting my way tonight.

[neathiron]

I guess it’s the fact that Depeche Mode were one of the first bands in early 80’s that I really “got”, that has really brought this home.
I was 15 on the cusp of sweet sixteen when New Life came out, but Fletch was only 19 himself. I must have played Speak and Spell on my turntable until the grooves wore out. It still sounds fresh today and I’ll be giving it a spin this weekend, not my original but one I picked up at a record fair some years ago to replace my battered original.

Was listening to Absolute 80’s this morning and Sarah Champion was in bits as she read out a tribute from Alison Moyet who was a classmate at school with Fletch.
This one really has hit home for a lot of people.

RIP Fletch

I was a bit later to the party when it came to Depeche Mode. Iirc 'Violator' was the 1st album I bought on cd format because I was blown away after hearing 'Enjoy The Silence'. Still their greatest song imo, what a tune. Cost me £14.99 from Woolworths which I thought was a bit expensive. Even more bizarre was the fact I bought the cd format but had yet to own a cd player at the time so I had to overcome that problem sooner rather than later.
Became a bit obsessed with them then and went out and bought all their previous albums on vinyl. Picked up a mint copy of 'Music For The Masses' on clear vinyl from one 2nd hand record shop for £9.99. Was checking it's value the other day and some copies of it are selling for £320 :shock:
My favourite album by them is between 'Violator' and 'Songs Of Faith And Devotion', but they're another of those bands I've lost touch with when it comes to new releases. Seems to be a habit I have with the majority of bands in my collection. Last album I've got by them was 'Playing The Angel' which I believe I've only listened to once.